Wednesday, December 28, 2011

My sister, a snappy dresser herself, seems a little too delighted to point out what she notices as my sartorial shortcomings. Normally she likes to tease me about my penchant for granny items or for wearing my red pants too often, but this week she's found a new target with these boots, which after a winter and a half of salted roads and frequent trips into the snow, look a little worse for the wear. I believe she may have applied the term "bedraggled" to them more than once. I prefer "shabby chic," but unfortunately cheaply-stained leather just doesn't age the way real, nice, expensive, out-of-my-budget leather does, so bedraggled I will have to stay at least until these boots take a restorative trip to the cobbler.

i'm all about the bedraggled look. (i have a liking for that word itself. it has a certain ring to it.) you look great! and i would much prefer cheap boots that will wear out rather than spending an arm and a leg.

You can probably only get it online, but I swear by my bottle. It moisturizes leather - the color will be a bit darker, but the cracks and scuffs will fade considerably, and it's well worth it. My leather satchel looks new! And is so supple.

Gah, I sound like an ad. But, I rarely endorse products, and this one gets my full approval. Just make sure to put on a light thin coat!

My boots are the same way... and I can't part with them. You seem to be in good company! Also, can I just say how excited I get every time you wear that orange gingham shirt in a post? I don't even like orange, but that shirt just makes me giddy. =)

It's true, though, cheap leather just doesn't wear as well as good leather. I have a pair of leather boots where the leather actually separated from the fabric underneath and then ripped! I think my boots go beyond shabby chic into just plain shabby. Yours look great, though!

The boots are great. Wipe them down with white vinegar on a soft cloth (an old t shirt works well) then hit them with mink oil, swabbed up with another old cloth. You can get mink oil either on amazon or at a hardware store. It's like nine bucks for a giant tub. It will darken leather ever so slightly, so it is perfect for worn spots.

If you don't want the darker effect, use saddle soap on a wet cloth instead. Do the vinegar first, though- it really gets rid of old salt stains.

The boots look great...the worn,vintage, loved look is in (people pay good money for boots that already look worn)...so keep on keep'n on in your Shaby Chic boots! Oh, and I thought I recognized those pants...I have the same thing in another color...Love them :) Jennifer

I love your boots. I've wanted a pair of brown boots from Target for a couple months and haven't gotten them because I don't want to spend the $45. Do you know how many latte's I've had from Sbux??? Enough to probably buy 3 pairs!! ugh.

Haha! I WISH I could afford those Steve Madden boots. They're bootiful (yea, I just typed that...), and I would wear them until every single piece of them fell off my feet. Love that cute puffer vest on you :)

I love the look of weathered, well-loved leather boots! However, one must maintain to keep favorites from falling apart. :) Let me know if you find a great cobbler, I am trying one out near UMCP, but would love one in the city!

Wow, anonymous, are you that much of a catty little killjoy in real life? Because people like you, who won't even leave a fake name on a blog, are usually too chicken to talk like that to other people's faces. Grow up and stop sniping like a damn twelve-year-old. Tania, don't listen to them- you're beautiful and you dress the part. Come back soon!

I love your style and your courage with how you dress! As a native Washingtonian myself, I know how easy it is to blend in with the crowd... but I love how you stand out! Keep it up! You inspire me to be more courageous with how I dress. :)